everythintodeclare

Thursday, July 30, 2015

A display of deep reverence for a humble, just man and grievance for his passing juxtaposed with a display of pride, celebration and accomplishment at the death (rather killing) of another man in the name of justice. All the callous, morons that surround me - atleast show some humanity and shut the fuck up!!!! Oh but wait!...

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

A fantastic documentary on food, emphasizing quality,
sustainability, flavor and creativity. Not only a visual delight to watch in
terms of the culinary creations presented, but the movie also features some
outstanding chefs across the world who are truly artists par excellence. Their artistry,
passion, dedication, enthusiasm, perseverance and energy to prepare exquisite
food and their commitment to quality ingredients is awe inspiring. In the
process they also address the most important aspects of food and food production –
locally grown or harvested, fresh and sustainable. Their ability to not compromise and to see
beyond the (monetary) bottom lines is truly commendable. These are fine dining chefs and
the food they prepare are like fine art – exquisite and often inaccessible to
ordinary folks, which is rather unfortunate. The show also features the
personal stories of these chefs, mostly from humble beginnings, talking about
their struggles and failures and how all that influenced their cooking and
motivated them to keep going. The show is a unique one, not limited to food but
goes beyond it, serving you important life lessons, leaving you with the realization
that we are all part of this web of life and compromising one may compromise
all it’s other linked parts.

Although not in agreement with K.R Meera’s opinion of (or
her support of Marathi writer Nemade’s opinion of) Indian writers writing in
English, I am in full agreement on the need to preserve regional literature and
the significant role of translation in making it accessible to all. If it weren’t
for translations, I would have missed out on some of the fabulous writings by Malayalam
authors like Mohammed Basheer, O.V Vijayan, Lalithambika Andarjanam to name a few…

Monday, April 06, 2015

Reading this new report on our government's "great", "insightful", "inclusive", "development oriented" plans I had a couple of quick thoughts run through me (with a good measure of sarcasm). So now that we have executive orders/ordinances in place to overcome environmental regulations, next
in agenda is more structural and policy-level changes in order to lead us (quickly) to that promised land of #achedin.

To begin with, additional clearances will be done away with (the aim is
obviously “speedy development”). Heck, if the government had its way, it would implement and then inform its people. We are not quite there yet. When that happens we can enjoy "achedin" in a nice, blissed out, totalitarian environment.

There are plans to redefine the legal definition of forests. Now who is redefining it, what is the new definition? Who
knows? But that is irrelevant. Imagine the real estate prospects here!! Gold! I mean don't we all aspire to live in a gated community, in a sprawling bungalow, in the middle
of the Western Ghats!. Imagine people...just imagine! Ah! "achedin" indeed!

Private sector to be involved in afforestation practices.
Meaning how? Financial support or actually deciding what trees/plants to grow
where?!?. So here is how I imagine it- Mrs. Ambnani glides into her husband's gold plated suite (yep..in my head the super rich glide and live in gold plated rooms) and goes -"suniya jee--wouldn't it be wonderful if we planted conifers in that large tract of forest land, down south, in Kerala, on that site the minister jee had mentioned. It will be just like Europe and those who cannot afford to travel to Europe or way up North can get the feel on home turf. Wouldn't that be a win-win? And Mr. Ambanani goes- "sure darling - what a thoughtful, brilliant idea!". And Mrs. Ambnani giggles shyly. Now you decide if this is a funny or a frightening scenario.

The report talked about two step changes planned - “mild changes” during the current
session and “radical changes” in the next. Someone explain mild and radical
please? I thought things were pretty radical enough. And I don't think my poor self can handle anymore radical changes.

And last but not the least – the government is all set to overhaul environmental and
forest regulations but no plans to enhance monitoring. Excellent! This is like the government being an indulgent parent where the petulant child gets his/her way whom they neither care to monitor and nor do they want to spend on a nanny.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

A conversation among friends on reservation for minorities lead to a comment on vote banks and corrupt politicians. The point asserted was the need to get rid of policies that foster minorities, creating a level playing field, thus reigning in corrupt politicians and their dirty tactics. This led me to think-----

Political parties may manipulate community groups and rely on vote banks to acquire or retain power and continue on with the cycle of corruption. This is definitely not good. But
we cannot tackle the issue or outsmart corrupt politicians by simply
getting rid of policies affecting minorities and artificially creating a level playing
field. Creating a level playing field is a great idea but not easy as one may think. The reason being, its not just economic disparity that is in play here when we think of minorities and think of creating a level playing field. The social-cultural disparities are more deep rooted and tougher to tackle. The kind of mind set that still prevails (overtly or covertly, blatantly or subtly) towards the minorities, to say with the least bit drama is that it is shocking! Having had lengthy conversations with my Dalit/minority/tribal friends, and when they talk about the prejudices they encounter in their daily lives it's not just difficult but inappropriate to think of quick fix solutions, especially the type that calls for doing away with policies that favor them. I draw parallels to the African American communities in the US. One would imagine as a progressive, developed society opportunities are found in a fair and square manner and that its a level playing field. But no, the truth is far from it. When social prejudices remain deep rooted, it becomes tough to seek out opportunities even if the law prescribes all are equal and therefore all have equal opportunities.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The more I stick around the academic environment, the more I
am convinced I must get away. Here is the thing- There is nothing wrong with academics or sticking
around in this environment. In fact it is a great place to formally acquire skills and knowledge
that prepares you to understand the problems of the world and formulate
solutions in a more balanced, structured, productive and effective way. But,
once you feel you have acquired the skills then it’s important to decide whether
to continue in the same environment or move to an environment that is more
suitable to your goals and aspirations. This is a valid question one must ask
oneself. The most natural transition (based on my observations) is to continue on
the familiar path of academics, especially if you have spent a substantial
amount of time in it, receiving formal training and receiving relevant degrees.
I am such an individual who decided to continue on the journey just because the
opportunity came and it seemed like a natural transition at the time. However, since
then I have had the time to think and reflect and I have come to realize this is not what I
want. I have enjoyed academics for the purpose it served- to help me develop
skills and/or develop a sound theoretical base on the area that interests me.
Once that has been reasonably accomplished (which is when you are generally
conferred the degree) then how you utilize that knowledge is based on what
drives you most. I have come to realize that I am a purpose/cause driven person.
I feel motivated with the idea of using my skill/knowledge to be of use to
someone and in situations where the outcome is more tangible and meaningful.

To put it in simple practical terms, I want to be out there
with the people, on the field, facing issues head on, trying to design and implement solutions, and experience
the outcome process in person. I am not cut out for operating in a sterile, detached
lab environment where your only access to the problem is through data sets
and you ponder day in and day out on what to do with it, how to analyze it and
what ideas or solutions can be generated out of it. My problem with this is not
the process per se ( since it is integral to any research based solution), but how
in the long run it gets reduced to the business of data collection, analysis, publication,
citations, impact factors and h-indices. It becomes a rat race of career goals
and moving up the academic professional ladder.With the occasional opportunity
to teach a bunch of students, which perhaps gives you the chance to satisfy the
notion of giving back or to be of some service, the academic environment does
not evoke any desire or drive in me that makes me want to stay. I need to get
away. *sigh*

Thursday, March 05, 2015

So I started watching the documentary "India's daughter" and could only do so for 15 mints. Too disturbing and I don't want to hear anymore the rapist asshole describing what he and his asshole buddies did to the poor helpless girl. I don't even understand why there is a stay or a debate on what to do with these animals. Just castrate them and hang them. As far as their defense lawyers and others who are arguing that the girl asked for it can take their moralistic fundas and shove it up their ass.

Now that my outrage is slightly under check I am in a self reflecting mood. I am in North America working in a research lab trying to understand and be part of solutions to local environmental problems (which I could also argue may have positive externalities with benefits beyond the immediate local). And yet, I feel this is not what I should be doing. My heart is totally elsewhere..elsewhere in terms of physical location and the kind of work I should be doing. Let me try and explain- Academics is great as you have a closer and quicker access to learn of a problem. It also helps you to think beyond the immediate problem and connect the dots; see the bigger picture or see how it's all connected and understand how prescribed solutions must consider both short term and long term benefits as well as consider its ripple effects. Now the trouble or rather the frustrating part is the time it takes from learning about the problem and understanding it to suggesting solutions that may potentially fix the problem. I just don't seem to have the patience for that. Also, you very rarely get to be part of the process of implementing your prescribed solutions. This makes me feel I am not contributing to fixing anything because by the time solution for one has been figured out a new problem has already cropped up. I suppose my point is I am not the kind of person to be sitting long hours reading, data crunching and analyzing, and just figuring out solutions. I am the restless kind who needs to be out, in the middle of the problem, working with the stakeholders, implementing the prescribed solutions in trying to fix the problem and perhaps use my academic background to evaluate and make improvements to the implementation process or provide more informed feedbacks. Despite having it all figured out in my head, I feel tied down and I don't know why.

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Hi! whoever is reading this. I don't know how many come backs I have made to this blog but here is to another attempt. Lack of motivation and general laziness are the two reasons why I take these looong pauses. I am done with formal schooling (for the time being) and feel grown up enough to be formally employed, draw a (small) salary and receive some decent benefits. Having said that I do miss the carefree days of being a student. Yes, interestingly those days seem carefree in comparison. Anyways long story short, I have relocated to a new place, working and interacting with a new set of people and so far its been good. I hope to be creative, constructive, cooperative and collaborative to the best of my ability. I am also hoping my income remains decent enough that it allows me some pleasures and indulgences and ultimately I am happy along with the rest of humanity and the world. Ah! simple wishes.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Or I suppose is almost done counting and power shifts from "the parivar" to the "Sangh parivar"( as suggested by certain journalists). Also to be noted- all the pre-ordered laddoos have not gone waste and in fact, going to taste sweeter for a few.

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

"My soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child; its restlessness keeps growing and is forever the same. Everything interests me, but nothing holds me. I attend to everything, dreaming all the while...[..]. I'm two and both keep their distance- Siamese twins that aren't attached".
Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disqueit

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Since the "dull week" refuses to end, I decided to venture out of the house and spend some time at one of the local book stores at the mall. Two hours of reading, three book purchases and a Peruvian plate lunch later I was back home feeling rather pleased with my accomplishments of the day.
Here is the evidence..

Books to read @ the Store

Images below from Gwyneth Paltrow's Book-It's All Good

Cook books @ the Book Store

Images below from Rick Stein's book "India"

The final purchases

I never realized reading/going over cook books can be such a delightful experience. Most of the recipes are quite doable but more than that the images are incredibly gorgeous and beautifully styled! After approximately two hours of drooling (literally) I left the store famished, looking for food.

Regarding my purchases-I really wanted to buy the "India" book but at $40 it was rather expensive. The ones I got were on sale and has a good collection of easy recipes. Next POA(plan of action) - enter the kitchen......... :P.